Parents of boy missing since 1997 plead not guilty to murder

HILO, Hawaii – Parents of a Hawaii boy who has been missing for nearly 20 years have pleaded not guilty to murder charges.

The Hawaii Tribune-Herald reports (http://bit.ly/1TC7xAe) that in two separate courtrooms on Friday 46-year-old Jaylin Kema and her 45-year-old husband, Peter Kema Sr., pleaded not guilty to second-degree murder.

The boy's parents have long been suspects in the 1997 disappearance of then 6-year-old Peter Kema Jr., known as "Peter Boy," but prosecutors say there hadn't been enough evidence to charge them until now.

Peter Kema Sr. had told authorities he took his son to Oahu and gave him to a longtime family friend.

Jaylin Kema's trial has been scheduled for Aug. 22, while her husband has a Sept. 19 date.